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Borderlands (film)

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For films with similar titles, see Borderland § Film and TV.

Borderlands
A group of eccentric people characters pose next to stacks of cases in front of a colorful background.
Theatrical release poster
Directed byEli Roth
Screenplay by
  • Eli Roth
  • Joe Crombie
Story byEli Roth
Based onBorderlands
by Gearbox Software
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyRogier Stoffers
Edited by
Music bySteve Jablonsky
Production
companies
Distributed byLionsgate
Release dates
  • August 6, 2024 (2024-08-06) (TCL Chinese Theatre)
  • August 9, 2024 (2024-08-09) (United States)
Running time
102 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$110–120 million
Box office$8.8 million[2]

Borderlands is a 2024 American science fiction action comedy film co-written and directed by Eli Roth, based on the video game series developed by Gearbox Software. It stars Cate Blanchett as Lillith, an outlaw who forms an alliance with a team of misfits to find the missing daughter of the most powerful man in the universe.[3] The ensemble cast also features Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Édgar Ramírez, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Munteanu, Gina Gershon and Jamie Lee Curtis.

The film was announced in August 2015, with Lionsgate developing it with Ari and Avi Arad producing, and Leigh Whannell in talks to direct. By February 2020, Erik Feig had joined as a producer and Roth was attached to direct from a screenplay by Craig Mazin. Casting took place from May 2020 to April 2021, with Blanchett cast first and others the following year. Principal photography began in April 2021 in Budapest, Hungary, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and wrapped in June. Two weeks of reshoots took place in early 2023, directed by Tim Miller due to Roth's commitments to Thanksgiving (2023). That June, Mazin removed his name from the project and was replaced by Joe Crombie.

Borderlands premiered at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on August 6, 2024, and was released in the United States by Lionsgate on August 9. The film was critically panned by critics and grossed $8.8 million worldwide.

Plot

[edit]

On the planet of Pandora, Roland, a mercenary soldier apparently gone rogue, kidnaps teenager Tiny Tina with the help of Krieg, a "Psycho" who was institutionalized in the same facility.

Meanwhile, on another planet, bounty hunter Lilith is contacted by Atlas, a powerful corporate magnate. He convinces her to rescue Tina, his daughter. Lilith returns to Pandora, her home planet, for the first time since she was a child. With the help of Claptrap, a robot that was mysteriously programmed to wait for her on Pandora, she locates Tina.

After realizing that Atlas wants his daughter back against her will, Lilith teams up with Roland and Krieg when they are attacked by the Crimson Lance, the private army of Atlas. Lilith is informed that Tina was genetically engineered with biological material from the Eridians, the ancient race that once inhabited Pandora, and that Atlas believes only she can open the Vault where the secrets of the lost civilization's advanced technology are kept.

With the help of Lilith's long-ago foster mother, Dr. Patricia Tannis, they locate the key to open the Vault in a underground maze occupied by a tribe of Psychos. They manage to take the key to the surface. Lilith destroys the device Atlas entrusted her with to signal when she had rescued Tina, and he immediately communicates with her via robotic drone, explaining that he still wants the girl. Tina overhears the end of the conversation and assumes Lilith has betrayed her. She throws a grenade at Lilith, leaving her unconscious. When Lilith recovers, Claptrap unknowingly plays a holographic message for her, recorded by her mother.

The next day, without Lilith and Claptrap, the team find the Vault only to realize Atlas is waiting for them. However, Tina is unable to open the Vault. Lilith appears and explains that she is the one who can do it, being an Eridian known as the Firehawk. Atlas threatens to kill Tina if Lilith does not open the Vault. She obeys but traps Atlas inside, where a creature drags him away. The group celebrates their survival.

Cast

[edit]

Additionally, Penn Jillette was going to have a cameo in the film as a preacher overseeing a wedding, after voicing Pain (from the villainous duo Pain and Terror) in the video game Borderlands 3 (2019);[15] however, this scene was not included in the final version of the film.[16]

Production

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Writer and director Eli Roth (left). Tim Miller (right) took over directing duties during reshoots.

In 2011, Gearbox Software CEO Randy Pitchford had his first conversation about a possible film adaptation of Borderlands with producers Avi and Ari Arad of Arad Productions.[17] In May 2015, Leigh Whannell was in talks with Lionsgate to write and direct an adaptation of the video game series.[18] The film was officially announced in August 2015; however Whannell's involvement was left omitted.[19] Aaron Berg was tapped to pen an R-rated take on the material in April 2016.[20] By June 2018, Oren Uziel assumed scripting duties from Berg.[21][22]

In February 2020, Eli Roth was attached to direct the film from a screenplay written by Craig Mazin, with Erik Feig joining as producer through his production company Picturestart.[23] Cate Blanchett was cast as Lilith in May 2020.[4][24] Speaking of her decision to join the project, Blanchett said: "The gun-slinging stuff was so much fun. I got really absorbed in that whole world. I think there also may have been a little Covid madness — I was spending a lot of time in the garden, using the chainsaw a little too freely. My husband said, 'This film could save your life'."[25] The rest of the ensemble cast was announced between January and April 2021.[5][10] By that month, Mazin's script had been rewritten by Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier; and again by Roth.[26]

Filming began on April 1, 2021, in Budapest, Hungary, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and wrapped on June 22.[27][28][29] On June 4, 2021, first look images of the cast were released, with black and white images obscuring all but the cast's silhouettes.[30] In January 2023, it was announced the film would be going through two weeks of reshoots directed by Tim Miller, due to Roth's commitments to Thanksgiving (2023).[31] Zak Olkewicz wrote new pages for Miller.[32] In June 2023, Mazin removed his name from the project, replaced by Joe Crombie; Mazin has denied reports that Crombie was his pseudonym.[33] Additional literary material was credited to Berg, Uziel, Taylor, Rettenmaier, Olkewicz, Chris Bremner, and Sam Levinson.[34] Steve Jablonsky composed the film's score after replacing Nathan Barr.[35][36]

Release

[edit]

Borderlands premiered at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on August 6, 2024.[37] It was theatrically released in the United States by Lionsgate Films on August 9, 2024.[38] The film cost $110–120 million to produce, and Lionsgate spent $30 million on print and advertising. International presales reportedly covered 60% of production costs.[39]

Reception

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Box office

[edit]

In the United States and Canada, Borderlands was released alongside It Ends With Us and Cuckoo, and was projected to gross $8–16 million from 3,125 theaters in its opening weekend.[39][40][41] The film made $4 million on its first day, including an estimated $1.32 million from Thursday previews. It debuted at $8.8 million, finishing in fourth, and Deadline Hollywood reported the film would likely lose the studio $20–30 million.[42]

Critical response

[edit]

Borderlands received negative reviews.[43][44][45] On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 10% of 94 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 3.3/10. The website's consensus reads: "Glitching out in every department, Borderlands is balderdash."[46] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 27 out of 100, based on 31 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.[47] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "D+" on an A+ to F scale, while those surveyed by PostTrak gave it a 46% positive score, with 31% saying they would definitely recommend it.[42]

The Guardian called the film "janky" and a "juvenile and derivative adaptation"[48] while Variety found it was a "generic gaming adaptation that deprives audiences of the most valuable ingredient of its source: surprise."[49] The Independent said it was a "total disaster"[50] while Rolling Stone wondered if Borderlands was the worst video game movie ever.[51] The Evening Standard suggested it was the worst film of the year.[52]

PC Gamer compared Borderlands to numerous other video game movie adaptations: "You might have heard the claim that this is a righting of the scale, … [to] remind us that good adaptations are the exception, not the rule. We needed a new Super Mario Bros. (1993). We didn't get one. Borderlands cannot hold a candle to Super Mario Bros. It is not interestingly bad. … It has no cheesy, thwarted ambition to redeem it. It never becomes more than a waste of a hundred minutes."[53]

Blanchett's performance was praised by Tim Grierson, of Screen Daily, who contrasted it with the rest of the ensemble cast: "Not many in the starry ensemble shine. Vivid character actors like Gina Gershon and Jamie Lee Curtis, who, respectively, play an alluring club owner and a respected scientist, are trapped in stale genre types. Even the potentially intriguing change-of-pace performances — such as Hart in a far more sombre turn than we expect from the explosive comedian — flatline."[54]

Among the more positive reviews, MovieWeb wrote, "Roth displays his cinematic prowess with solid combat scenes. Munteanu's Krieg is a beast and a half, twisting baddies into human pretzels with unabashed glee. The violence is brutal but not graphically disturbing ... It's stunning to see a Roth film without even a hint of blood. The producers made a business calculation to avoid the R-rating and allow children who also enjoy the games to see the film. Die-hard Roth fans expecting his trademark gruesome torture should sit this one out."[55]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Borderlands (12A)". BBFC. July 4, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  2. ^ "Borderlands – Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  3. ^ Couch, Aaron (April 5, 2021). "Edgar Ramirez Joins Lionsgate's 'Borderlands'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  4. ^ a b N'Duka, Amanda (May 5, 2020). "Oscar Winner Cate Blanchett In Talks To Join 'Borderlands' Adaptation At Lionsgate". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 15, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Rubin, Rebecca (January 26, 2021). "Kevin Hart to Star Alongside Cate Blanchett in 'Borderlands'". Variety. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  6. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (February 11, 2021). "Jack Black Reunites With Eli Roth & Cate Blanchett For 'Borderlands' Movie". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 13, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
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  8. ^ Kit, Borys (March 1, 2021). "Young Gamora Actress Ariana Greenblatt Joins Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart in 'Borderlands' Movie". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  9. ^ Kit, Borys (March 9, 2021). "'Creed II' Actor Florian Munteanu Joining Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart in 'Borderlands' Movie (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h Kroll, Justin (April 29, 2021). "'Borderlands': Gina Gershon, Cheyenne Jackson, Others Round Out Cast Of Lionsgate's Adaptation of Popular Video Game". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  11. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (February 8, 2021). "Jamie Lee Curtis Joins Cate Blanchett and Kevin Hart In 'Borderlands' Adaptation From Lionsgate". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 13, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
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  20. ^ Ford, Rebecca (April 25, 2016). "Borderlands Movie Taps Section 6 Writer to Pen Script (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  21. ^ Chapman, Tom (April 17, 2018). "Borderlands Movie Characters & Director Possibly Revealed". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  22. ^ Melendez, Marcos (June 12, 2019). "Lionsgate's Borderlands Film Will Feature A Female Protagonist (Exclusive)". Full Circle Cinema. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
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  25. ^ Travis, Ben (February 7, 2024). "Borderlands Turns Cate Blanchett Into A Gunslinger: 'I Got Really Absorbed In That World'". Empire. Archived from the original on July 8, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
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  27. ^ Dubey, Nivedita (July 12, 2023). "Borderlands Fans Can Expect a 'Wacky, 'Over-the-Top' Film, Says Jamie Lee Curtis". cbr.com. Archived from the original on August 24, 2023. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  28. ^ Nolfi, Joey (July 11, 2023). "Jamie Lee Curtis previews 'wacky' Borderlands movie, reveals new Tannis character details". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 12, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  29. ^ McWhertor, Michael (June 22, 2021). "Borderlands movie filming wraps, offers first (real) look at Claptrap". Polygon. Archived from the original on June 23, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
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  31. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (January 7, 2023). "Tim Miller Steps In For Eli Roth To Handle 'Borderlands' Reshoot As Roth Cooks Up Feature Version Of 'Grindhouse' Trailer 'Thanksgiving'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  32. ^ "Heat Vision". The Hollywood Reporter. January 13, 2023. Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  33. ^ Hailu, Selome (July 12, 2023). "'Borderlands' Movie; Craig Mazin Says He's 'Not a Credited Writer' and Reports of Pseudonym Credit Are 'False'". Variety. Archived from the original on July 26, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  34. ^ "Borderlands Writing Credits". WGA Directory. June 21, 2023. Archived from the original on August 7, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  35. ^ "Nathan Barr to Score Eli Roth's 'Borderlands'". Film Music Reporter. Archived from the original on August 29, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
  36. ^ "Steve Jablonsky Scoring 'Borderlands' Film Adaptation". Film Music Reporter. October 9, 2023. Archived from the original on January 4, 2024. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  37. ^ Teti, Julia (August 7, 2024). "Borderlands Los Angeles Red Carpet: Cate Blanchett, Jamie Lee Curtis and More [Photos]". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  38. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 20, 2023). "Eli Roth's Feature Take of Videogame 'Borderlands' Lands Summer 2024 Release Date – Comic-Con". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 26, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  39. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 6, 2024). "Ryan Reynolds Vs. Blake Lively At The Box Office: Deadpool & Wolverine To Slay Again With $50M, It Ends With Us To Begin With $23M-$30M+ – Preview". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  40. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (August 7, 2024). "Blake Lively's It Ends With Us to Battle Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool & Wolverine at Box Office". Variety. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  41. ^ "Weekend Preview: Reynolds vs Lively as It Ends with Us Challenges Deadpool & Wolverine". Boxoffice Pro. August 7, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  42. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 11, 2024). "Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively Box Office Battle Settles As Deadpool & Wolverine Sees $54M+, It Ends With Us Strong $50M; Borderlands DOA – Sunday Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  43. ^ Scullion, Chris (August 8, 2024). "The Borderlands movie currently has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 0%". Video Games Chronicle. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  44. ^ Bolding, Jonathan (August 7, 2024). "The first impressions of the Borderlands movie are out, and include slightly worrying phrases like 'disaster' and 'visually repulsive dud'". PC Gamer. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  45. ^ Braca, Nina (August 8, 2024). "Early Borderlands Reviews Are Staggeringly Negative And Full Of Disappointment Over The Video Game Adaptation". Uproxx. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  46. ^ "Borderlands". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  47. ^ "Borderlands". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  48. ^ Hassenger, Jesse (August 8, 2024). "Borderlands review – Cate Blanchett is wasted in janky video game adventure". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  49. ^ Debruge, Peter (August 8, 2024). "'Borderlands' Review: After 'Tár,' It's Strange to See Cate Blanchett Slumming in a Middling Video Game Movie". Variety. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  50. ^ Loughrey, Clarisse (August 8, 2024). "Borderlands review: This Cate Blanchett video game adaptation is a total disaster". The Independent. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  51. ^ Fear, David (August 8, 2024). "'Borderlands' Is an Insult to Gamers, Movie Lovers and Carbon-Based Life Forms". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  52. ^ Jessop, Vicky (August 8, 2024). "Borderlands review: is this the worst film of the year?". Evening Standard. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  53. ^ published, Joshua Wolens (August 9, 2024). "The Borderlands movie is such an irredeemable mess it had me longing for 1993's Super Mario Bros". PC Gamer. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  54. ^ Grierson, Tim (August 8, 2024). "'Borderlands': Review". Screen Daily. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  55. ^ Roman, Julian (August 8, 2024). "Borderlands Review: Video Game Adaptation Is Just Barely Good Enough". MovieWeb. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
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